Scope and Method of Study: Field study of rattling behavior in free-ranging western diamondback rattlesnakes. Demonstrated short and long-term habituation of the rattle response in western diamondback rattlesnakes using a new, automated apparatus in the laboratory.

Findings and Conclusions: Rattlesnakes rattle infrequently in the field. Comparisons of free ranging, randomly encountered snakes with free-ranging radio tagged snakes suggest frequent exposure to potential predators modifies rattling behavior. A new, automated apparatus for testing habituation and other learning phenomena related to rattling is described. Habituation of the rattle response does occur over the course of repeated elicitation within several hours and can be evident over several days. Extreme variation in the rates of habituation between individuals was evident.